Reckitt Benckiser announced plans to restructure its business into two distinct operations, a health division and another covering hygiene and home products. RB's decision to reorganize came following its acquisition of US-based baby formula manufacturer Mead Johnson in June 2017. Also, the company, which has been seeing a tough year, reported its worst quarter ever in July 2017.

"Reckitt Benckiser to Form Two Business Units for Better Focus", Reuters, October 18, 2017

Beauty retailer The Body Shop has introduced the Japanese Matcha Tea Pollution Clearing Mask skincare product in New Zealand. According to the company, the product features the antioxidant properties of Japan's matcha green tea and dandelion extracts from France. Also, the retailer announced the Chinese Ginseng & Rice cleanser and toner, the Clarifying Polishing Powder Wash, and the Clarifying Milky Toner.

"Face the good stuff with the Body Shop’s new Asian fusion range", Lucire, October 16, 2017

Procter & Gamble’s chief brand officer, Marc Pritchard, is revamping the company’s digital marketing processes to avoid wasted ad spend and to grow revenue, which is stuck in the low single-digits. Pritchard argues that despite spending $600 billion annually, P&G is “reaching too few people too many times with too many ads.” The company is now working with social media networks to create shorter, less frequent, yet more engaging digital ads, and also to ensure that its ads are not shown alongside irrelevant or offensive content.

"P&G’s Marketing Chief Argues Against Waste in the Digital Space and Addresses Growth for Brands", Adweek, October 08, 2017

The biggest hurdles for India’s start-up FMCG companies as they battle industry giants for market share are capital, retail shelf space, distribution, and marketing. They sometimes make strides through pure luck, but innovation and persistence are the most reliable vehicles to success. In its early days RAW Pressery, for example, an online marketer of cold-pressed juices, adapted Mumbai’s dabbawala hot-lunch delivery system based on bicycles and rail transport to deliver its juice products. Dabbawalas were able to deliver 50,000 purchases in three hours. Four years later, the company’s fleet of 25 refrigerated vehicles delivers its own juices as well as products for other brands. The end result is that RAW Pressery and other aggressive start-ups are able to peel off market share from bigwigs like Unilever, Nestlé, and others.

"Battleground FMCG: How Consumer Product Startups are Battling Roadblocks to Stand Out Amid Giants", The Economic Times, October 13, 2017

L'Oreal has announced the appointment of Lucia Dumas as executive vice president of the company's Communication and Public Affairs department. Also, Dumas will become part of the company's Executive Committee in January 2018. Dumas will succeed Isabel Marey-Semper who is leaving following eight years in the Group.

Haircare brand Herbal Essences has launched a marketing campaign featuring the short film, “Changes.” According to the company, the campaign aims to encourage women to accept life changes as a means of living “more fully.” Through the film, four women share their backgrounds, their reasons for deciding to change, and how their choice made their life more exciting.